Inter Milan vs Arsenal live: Mikel Arteta makes seven changes as Bukayo Saka returns for Champions League clash

Arsenal have a +16 goal difference in the Champions League this season. Only one English side has matched that through their first six matches in a single edition - Liverpool in 2017/18 (+17).

Gabriel Martinelli has scored in all five of his Champions League appearances this season. Only Bukayo Saka (6 in 2024/25) and Thierry Henry (7 in both 2001/02 & 2002/03) have managed more strikes across a single season in the competition for the Gunners.

Former Inter defender Cristian Chivu – who won the treble with the Nerazzurri in 2009/10 – took over as manager this season after the departure of Simone Inzaghi.

He’s had a decent start to his second stint at the San Sirom, leading the team to the top of Serie A at the moment.

Here’s what the Romanian had to say ahead of tonight’s match:

"We're facing one of the strongest teams in Europe. They've invested, they have an identity and they're constantly improving. Arsenal and Bayern are the strongest teams in Europe right now, but I'm also aware of who we are.

“We won't start feeling defeated; we will be the best version of ourselves. It takes a positive attitude, a willingness to win the ball, and to take risks. We have players capable of maintaining that level of focus."

Inter Milan XI: Sommer; Akanji, Acerbi, Bastoni; Luis Henrique, Barella, Zielinski, Sucic, Dimarco; Martinez, Turam

Here’s what Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta had to say in his pre-match press conference:

“In the Champions League, when you have the opportunity to achieve something, you have to grab it,” he explained.

“Tomorrow we're really going to have to earn it against a top, top side. [Finishing in the top eight] is massive, we know that, and if we win tomorrow, we know that's going to be the case. So, let's make it happen.

“We keep tricking the players - saying the next one is the most important [game] this season, and then three days later it's the same! That's the demands, that's the expectations that we have, that's the standard that we have set as well as a team and as a club, and we are living with that, with joy, with enthusiasm and with a lot of energy,” he added.

Arsenal’s last victory away to an Italian side in the Champions League was in March 2008.

Since then, they have failed to win on five straight trips (D1 L4), while failing to score a single goal.

Internazionale and Arsenal will meet for the fourth time in the Champions League.

The Italians have won two of the previous three (L1), including one over a Mikel Arteta-led Gunners side in last season’s league phase (1-0 in November 2024).

There are wholesale changes in Mikel Arteta’s starting XI as Arsenal show the flexible nature of their squad.

The manager switches out seven players from the 0-0 draw with Nottingham Forest at the weekend.

Ben White and Gabriel drop out of the defence in favour of Myles Lewis-Skelly and Cristhian Mosquera.

In midfield Martin Zubimendi is partnered with Mikel Merino and Eberechi Eze.

The forward line is a new one as Gabriel Jesus, Leandro Trossard and Bukayo Saka replace Non Madueke, Viktor Gyokeres and Gabriel Martinelli.

Arsenal XI: Raya; Timber, Saliba, Mosquera, Lewis-Skelly; Zubimendi, Merino, Eze; Saka, Jesus, Trossard

The Gunners are ready for this outing at the San Siro. Can they maintain their place at the top of the Champions League table?

The line-ups will be released in the next five minutes, so here’s a reminder of the early team news for both sides...

Inter are without two regular starters in Hakan Calhanoglu and Denzel Dumfries, both who miss out due to injury. They will, however, be expected to recall big hitters Alessandro Bastoni and Marcus Thuram to the side after being rested in the league.

Arsenal, meanwhile, are still missing defensive duo Piero Hincapie and Riccardo Calafiori, along with Max Dowman. Mikel Merino, Christian Norgaard and Declan Rice are all one booking away from suspension.